Post by EGBFan on Feb 16, 2006 9:33:15 GMT -4
Well, some weeks ago, actor, writer and historian Tony Robinson informed me (not personally - it was on TV) that there is talk of going into the Titanic and salvaging as much as possible. However, inevitably, there is some opposition to this.
Just to inspire you. So, what do we think?
Arguments for going in and bringing stuff out, as suggested by Tony Robinson:*
The ship and what's left of its contents are crumbling away at the bottom of the ocean. Unlikely as it seems now that the tragedy will ever be forgotten, this is an absolutely huge historical event, and if we don't act fast what is left of it will soon be gone forever. People died needlessly, and their memory is being lost. Humans have always tried to preserve their history as far as possible, and the Titanic is too important a part of that history to be left out.
Arguments for leaving well alone, as suggested by Tony Robinson:*
There's a reason why we don't go around digging up graves. The Titanic is a mass grave: going in there, interfering, taking stuff out, moving stuff around, would be enormously disrespectful. People died needlessly, through no fault of their own - the least we can do now is leave them be.
Counter-argument, thought of by Rosey, even though she doesn't necessarily agree with it:
No one seems to have these qualms about Egyptian tombs - perhaps because they're further from home (in time and space) than the Titanic?
*Ah, how I love Tony Robinson. I could have figured these out for myself, but Tony has more credibility than I do - he makes frequent TV appearances and he's written books and everything.
Money might also be an issue, but I get a headache thinking about this. Well, here goes. There are worthier causes than this (that involve making things easier for living people), but there are also much less worthy causes, and sadly these seem to be the ones that the Powers That Be manage to find money for. When they want money, they have it; when they don't want money, oh dear, there isn't any. Personally, I'd rather see capital going into preserving history than making nuclear weapons or launching things into space - though not necessarily the Titanic. Anyway, either way, the cost of one more expedition might even out eventually. If we bring Titanic memorabilia out of the ocean, it'll be on display to anyone who wants to see it; as it is now, if you want to look at it, you have to get all kinds of permission and fund a special sub-aquatic expedition.
Anyway, do let us know what you think - and when everyone who wants to has voted, we'll show it to whoever is in charge of this stuff, and then they'll do what we say.
Just to inspire you. So, what do we think?
Arguments for going in and bringing stuff out, as suggested by Tony Robinson:*
The ship and what's left of its contents are crumbling away at the bottom of the ocean. Unlikely as it seems now that the tragedy will ever be forgotten, this is an absolutely huge historical event, and if we don't act fast what is left of it will soon be gone forever. People died needlessly, and their memory is being lost. Humans have always tried to preserve their history as far as possible, and the Titanic is too important a part of that history to be left out.
Arguments for leaving well alone, as suggested by Tony Robinson:*
There's a reason why we don't go around digging up graves. The Titanic is a mass grave: going in there, interfering, taking stuff out, moving stuff around, would be enormously disrespectful. People died needlessly, through no fault of their own - the least we can do now is leave them be.
Counter-argument, thought of by Rosey, even though she doesn't necessarily agree with it:
No one seems to have these qualms about Egyptian tombs - perhaps because they're further from home (in time and space) than the Titanic?
*Ah, how I love Tony Robinson. I could have figured these out for myself, but Tony has more credibility than I do - he makes frequent TV appearances and he's written books and everything.
Money might also be an issue, but I get a headache thinking about this. Well, here goes. There are worthier causes than this (that involve making things easier for living people), but there are also much less worthy causes, and sadly these seem to be the ones that the Powers That Be manage to find money for. When they want money, they have it; when they don't want money, oh dear, there isn't any. Personally, I'd rather see capital going into preserving history than making nuclear weapons or launching things into space - though not necessarily the Titanic. Anyway, either way, the cost of one more expedition might even out eventually. If we bring Titanic memorabilia out of the ocean, it'll be on display to anyone who wants to see it; as it is now, if you want to look at it, you have to get all kinds of permission and fund a special sub-aquatic expedition.
Anyway, do let us know what you think - and when everyone who wants to has voted, we'll show it to whoever is in charge of this stuff, and then they'll do what we say.